In my search for a new residence I was shocked to come across grave shortcomings in today’s modern building methods. I’ll just mention two.

Access to the roof in a block of flats, or shall I rephrase that, the ‘lack’ of it:

On asking the agent how to get to the roof, he indicated what seemed like a porthole several metres high below the ceiling, with a vertical iron ladder stuck to the wall beneath it, and, wait for it, looming over the banisters of the main staircase six storeys down, without a guard.

Imagine attempting to conquer this precarious climb while carrying even the smallest of tool boxes!

Anybody over 50 or with some form of physical disability can forget it.

Access for the frail and disabled:  I estimate that 99 per cent of all condominiums constructed in recent years are elevated substantially from street level, thus forcing their residents to refrain from going out independently from their own front door.

This is especially the case for young families juggling with children, pushchairs, shopping and school bags. Ramps, with a low gradient, should be integrated within the design of all buildings.

Today we loosely apply the word ‘designer’ to practically every skill. Yet we somehow fail to create realistic styles to meet everyone’s needs.